Page 29 - SD Woman Glace Ziperovich Issue

Share your health struggles with Let them glimpse pain but not be Remember: life goes on In many ways, nothing
them in an age-appropriate way overwhelmed by it I still clearly remember one had changed—and that’s
It’s natural to want to shield It's always tempting to remove evening shortly after I learned the most important lesson I
children from news that’s kids altogether from painful about the surgeon’s error. learned. Our children were
frightening to you, but they’ll situations, but it's also healthy My husband, Eduardo, and I and will always be the same
sense it if you’re holding back for them to experience a level were having dinner together happy, energetic young indi-
important information. Kids of pain that they can tolerate at home with the kids. I was viduals they were from the
pick up on the most surprising and process. Pain and hard- overwhelmed. Eduardo and moment they came into this
things! And knowing just a ships are an important part I were both still reeling with world. Our job as parents is
little but not enough can lead of life. Pick some times when shock. Yet when I got up to honor that with love and
them to imagine the worst they can be with you and see from the table to take a phone honesty and to do what we can
possible scenarios. Instead, your discomfort. Talk to them call from my doctor, I heard in both sickness and health to
explain what’s happening in a about how you feel, and an- Eduardo telling the kids to eat keep them grounded in their
way that matches their age and swer their questions. But make their veggies and not just the routines so they feel safe and
ability to understand. Stick to sure there are plenty of other cheese. In other words: life stable and can flourish.
the big picture, especially for times when they are busy fo- goes on. Their routine con-
younger kids (for example, cusing on their usual activities tinued as always, as if nothing
“Mommy is sick but the doc- and are not overwhelmed by had changed.
tors are helping her”), and add the more difficult moments.
key details for older kids, such
as the nature of the illness. Give them opportunities to help Lorena Junco Margain is an author, art collector, and
philanthropist as well as an advocate for forgiveness and
Lean on friends and family Kids feel empowered and compassion. After surviving a surgeon’s error in 2012 that left
uplifted when they’re involved
When you or your spouse are and can make a contribu- her with a lifetime of medical issues, she penned a memoir
at the center of the crisis and tion—so let them! Maybe about the experience, On the Way to Casa Lotus, promoting
can barely keep it together, they’d like to hold a warm forgiveness as a force for personal and universal change. A USA
you may not be the right one compress to your forehead or Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, On the Way to Casa
to speak with or care for your take your temperature. How Lotus won the American BookFest’s 2021 Best Book Award for
children—at least not all the about bringing you a glass of narrative nonfiction. It has received praise from Camila Alves
time. That’s where friends water or brushing your hair? McConaughey, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of
and family come in. Let them The possibilities are endless. WomenOfToday.com; Nancy D. Perrier, M.D., F.A.C.S., Chief
step in and help by taking the Be creative and the joy will of Surgical Endocrinology, University of Texas M D Anderson
children, speaking with them overpower the angst. Cancer Center, and many other prominent voices.
about the situation in terms
you’ve agreed on in advance,
and demonstrating to the kids
that they’re loved and support-
ed even if mom and dad are
preoccupied. I’ll never forget
the times my own kids came
skipping home after a playdate
or a movie and am forever
grateful to the people who
stepped in and organized these
outings. After all, kids are
kids—and most often they just
need to be kept safe and happy.
And they’re much better off
distracted and entertained
than sitting by your bed wor-
ried and afraid.

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